Public transport

All aboard for NYE

Your best bet for travelling to the celebrations.

With thousands of extra services running, public transport is the only way to travel on New Year’s Eve. Very large crowds are expected, so if you’re travelling into the city, plan your trip and arrive early.

Bus customers are reminded they will still need to use an Opal card. If you’re catching a train, light rail or ferry you can tap on and tap off using your American Express, Mastercard, Visa card or linked device.

Trains

Thousands of extra trains will run throughout the day and into the early hours of the new year.

Some stations will have changed arrangements as roads will close and vantage points will be at capacity:

Circular Quay: From 5pm until midnight trains won’t stop at Circular Quay due to large crowds. For access to the harbour foreshore, use Wynyard, Town Hall or Martin Place stations.

Milsons Point: From 6pm until midnight, trains from the city to the north shore won’t stop at Milsons Point due to large crowds. Passengers can get off at North Sydney to continue their trip.

Domestic Airport and International Airport: From 12.30am until 4.30am, trains won’t stop at Domestic Airport and International Airport stations. Sydney Airport will be closed during this time.

Buses

Thousands of extra bus services will run throughout the day and night.

Services into and out of the city will use different routes and bus stops while event road closures are in place.

Look for the signs to guide you to vantage points and back to bus stops to get home. Walking routes will be different on New Year’s Eve.

The way you come in will be different to the way you leave. Plan your trip and prepare to walk a little more than usual.

Key bus changes:

From 2pm to 6pm: Circular Quay services will run to and from Martin Place.

From 3pm to 3am: Buses in North Sydney will use alternate stops while Blue Street is closed. While the Sydney Harbour Bridge is closed from 11pm for the midnight fireworks, buses will terminate at North Sydney station.

From 6pm to 4am: All buses from the city will relocate to temporary bus stops in Hyde Park, Town Hall and Wynyard.

Access to buses at Wynyard will be on King Street only.

Ferries

Ferries will be busy and fill up early on New Year’s Eve. If you’re looking to catch a ferry, plan to arrive early and have a plan-B transport option.

Key changes:

Ferries won’t stop at McMahons Point wharf after 10am.

Ferries won’t stop at Milsons Point wharf after 3pm.

At some wharves, the last ferries to the city leave around 4.15pm.

Ferries won’t stop at Circular Quay after 5pm.

A harbour exclusion zone will be in place from 8pm until 12.45am. No ferries will operate during this time.

Limited ferries operate to the lower north shore and northern beaches after the midnight fireworks.Have a back-up plan as these services will be in very high demand.

No ferries down the Parramatta River or to the eastern suburbs after the midnight fireworks.

Check last service details for the Sydney Fast Ferry, Manly Fast Ferry and Eco Hopper.

Light rail

Light rail services run between city and inner west locations. and Services between Dulwich Hill and Central will run regularly until 10pm.

The best stops to access Darling Harbour include Pyrmont Bay, Convention, The Star and Exhibition Centre.

Key changes:

From 10.30pm until 2am, services won’t operate between Exhibition Centre and Central.

Customers arriving into the city after 10.30pm will be dropped off at Convention. Customers heading home after 10.30pm from the city will need to catch services from Exhibition Centre

Services return to normal from 2am to 4am running between Central and Dulwich Hill every 10 minutes. From 4am, services run between Central and The Star every 30 minutes until 6am.

Secure taxi ranks

These taxi ranks will be staffed by security guards on New Year’s Eve to help you get home safely:

Walking and riding

There’ll be a temporary bike share hub in Belmore Park, near Central station.

Don’t drink and ride. People riding bikes face the same alcohol restrictions as drivers.

Getting home

Getting out of the city is different on New Year’s Eve. The way you come in will be different to the way you leave. There are many roads closed to people walking, driving and cycling, so follow directions and check signs.

Be prepared for a longer walk to buses and trains. Some train stations may have different entry and exit points. Try to leave the city after 1am to avoid the crowds.